Chelsea, MA vs Fall River, MA

The cost of living difference between Chelsea, MA and Fall River, MA is dramatic. Fall River is 37.1% cheaper than Chelsea, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chelsea has a cost index of 134 while Fall River sits at 98, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Chelsea is $1,859/month compared to $1,086/month in Fall River — a 71% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fall River is more affordable at $357,800 median vs $476,500.

Median household income in Chelsea is $72,220 compared to $53,933 in Fall River (+33.9%). The higher salaries in Chelsea partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Chelsea spend roughly 30.9% of their income on rent, more than the 24.2% in Fall River. The Fall River ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 50.4°F). Fall River receives more rainfall at 45.9" per year compared to 43.6" in Chelsea.